Karoglan ends S-League career on a low note

It was his final game in Singapore, and the script was written and the stage set.

All that was left for Warriors FC striker Mislav Karoglan was to score a hattrick against Harimau Muda B to claim the Great Eastern-Yeo's S-League Golden Boot in the final match of the season for both clubs.

The Croatian striker did get on the scoresheet, but he couldn't end his S-League career with a winning goal after his 26th-minute strike was cancelled out by substitute Akmal Ishak's late goal for a 1-1 draw at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium last night.

Two more goals would have brought Karoglan's tally to 15, three and he would have been hot favourite to win the Golden Boot.

Instead, he came up short against a 10-men Harimau side.

Tampines Rovers' evergreen Aleksandar Duric and Woodlands Wellington's Moon Soon Ho are now the leading contenders to share the accolade with 15 goals each.

Geylang's Jozef Kaplan needs a hattrick tonight away to DPMM to reach 16.

FRUSTRATED

While few would have begrudged the plucky young Tigers the draw after a determined performance following Asri Mardzuki's second yellow card, Karoglan was disappointed by the result, which encapsulated the Warriors' lacklustre season.

Said the 31-year-old: "I'm not really disappointed about missing out on the Golden Boot even though it's something every striker fights for, but I hoped to at least finish with a winning goal or a win.

"This last goal (by Akmal) was a picture of our season and I'm disappointed.

"There's not much to say after this season - it wasn't my plan to end this way and it honestly hurts me the most because I never thought that I would leave with a such disappointing result for the Warriors."

Aside from getting the final touch to steer home Kazuyuki Toda's volley, the forward endured a frustrating match, which was delayed for more than an hour due to a lightning alert.

With Karoglan set to return to Croatia to be with his wife Tomislava, the Choa Chu Kang-based Warriors outfit will have a gaping hole to fill.

While coach Alex Weaver has his eye set on a few targets, the Englishman conceded that the striker's presence will be missed next season.

Said Weaver: "He's a very good striker and he's served the S-League and the Warriors really well.

"He deserves a lot of credit for the work he's put in. He's a very good professional and a really nice, intense guy to have around the place.

Get The New Paper for more stories.